Robert Kraft defends New England Patriots in ball-tampering row

The owner of the New England Patriots, Robert Kraft, has defended his side in the wake of an investigation into under-inflated balls.

A report commissioned by the NFL has suggested that the Patriots 'probably' deliberately violated rules by deflating balls in their AFC championship game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Kraft released a statement saying that he disagrees with the findings and does not believe that they have taken all the scientific information into account.

He said: "As compelling a case as the Wells Report may try to make, I am going to rely on the factual evidence of numerous scientists and engineers rather than inferences from circumstantial evidence.

"Throughout the process of this nearly four-month investigation, we have cooperated and patiently awaited its outcome. To say we are disappointed in its findings, which do not include any incontrovertible or hard evidence of deliberate deflation of footballs at the AFC Championship Game, would be a gross understatement."

He later said that they will accept any punishment issued by the league.